The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-02-19
XLIXth CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IS

The presiding officer laid before the Senate
the resolutions Of the Maine Legislature in
regard to trade relations with Canada. Laid
on the table. The preamble states that the
Dominion government has placed such in
depreciation on existing treaties as to abridge
greatly the just rights and privileges Of
American fishermen in Canadian waters,
and that their treatment has been direct
violation OF the principles of comfy and
good neighborhood; and the resolutions
favor the enactment of such laws and the
adoption lof such rules and regulations on
the part of the American government, and
the strict enforcement of the same, as will
place Canadian fishermen within the juris-
diction Of the United States under the same
lnterdictions as American fishermen are sub
1ected to IN Canadian waters; and also that
such an increased duty be levied ON fish from
Canada as practically to exclude Canadian
fishermen from the advantage Of the Ameri-
can market.
Mr.. Dolph offered resolution authorizing
the committee on commerce to sit during the
recess of Congress at such places in the
United States as it may deem proper to in
quire into the laws and regulations govern
ing the use of moneys appropriated for
rivers and harb0rs, the character, import
ance and condition of the work, and all mat
ters connected Herewith, with power to
send for persons and papers, employ a
stenographer, etc. Referred to the commit
tee on commerce.
4ul. A1uHlduQS pICocuICQ lll6 tUuleItutc
report on the Utah polygamy bill in the
shape of substitute for both the Senate
and House bills. The substitute, consisting
OF u sections and occupying 10 printed
pages, was read in full by the Clerk.
Mr.. Vest said that as a matter Of course
the bill would become law, but he could
not vote for it. He was very well aware
what the public sentiment Of the country
was, but no amount of criticism would affect
the performance of his duties as a legislator.
- n nNNId xrA4n r. IL
Judgment, it violated the principle Of the
Constitution as to the rights of property.
The provision as to the perpetual emigrating
fund company was a naked, simple, bold
confiscation and nothing else. 1t took the
money subscribed by individuals and ap-
piled 1t to the object of public schools, not
contemplated by the corporation
Mr. Edmunds replied to Mr.. Vests Objec-
tions as to the property OF the emigration
company. The bill provided for the pay
ment Of all debts Of the company and the
return to the stockholders Of their invest
ments, and it was only the residue Of the
property ''for which there were no claim
ants that was to be escheated for the use Of
the common schools.
Mr.. Hoar asked Mr.. Edmunds whether
the bill anywhere, in prescribing the oath or
in prescribing the qualifications for Office or
the exercise Of civil rights, attacked mere
opinion separate from the criminal act.
Mr.. Edmunds-Not in the slightest de-
gree. The most astute and ingenious sophist
could not find anywhere in this bill any hint
OF such thing. 1t has been carefully ex-
cluded.
Mr.. Call opposed the bill He character
lied 1t as disgrace to the statute book, and
as a second step toward the establishment Of
religious persecution and intolerance.
Mr.. Hoar said he had voted against the
bill before because it abolished woman suf-
frage in the Territory. He regarded that
provision as not only unjustifable, but tyran-
nlcal. For that reason he had voted against
the bill before, and for that reason he would
vote against the conference report now.
The conference report was agreed to-
yeas, 81; nays, 13.
The first six sections of the bill apply to
the prosecutions for bigamy, adultery, ETC.,
and make the wife or husband a competent
witness, but not to be compelled to testify.
Sections and s apply to the powers of the
court commissioners and of the marshal and
deputy marshals. Sections and 10 apply to
the marriage ceremony. They REQUIRE GER
tificate, properly authenticated, to be record
ed in the Office of the probate court Sec
tion ii disapproves and annuls all territorial
laws recognizing the capacity of illegitimate
children to inherit or be entitled to any dis
tributive share in the estate of the father.
Section II disapproves and annuls territorial
laws comforting jurisdiction upon probate
courts, with certain exceptions. Section 10
makes 1t the duty OF the Attorney General
of the United States to institute proceedings
to eseheat to the United States the property
of corporations obtained or held in violation
of section of the act of July, 1862. the pro-
ceeds of such escheat to be applied to the
use and benefit of the common schools in the
territory. Section IA regulates the proceed
ings in such cases.
Section Is disapproves and annuls all laws
of legislative assembly, creating, or continu-
ing perpetual emigrating fund company, and
dissolve that corporation.
Section 16 directs the proceedings for the
disposition of property, and assets Of the
emigrating fund company. All such prop
erty in excess of debt, and lawful claims Is
to escheat to the United States for the bene-
fit of the common schools in the territory.
Section II disapproves and annuls the acts
of the legislative assembly incorporating or
providing for the Church Of Jesus Christ, of
the Latter Day Saints. and dissolves that
corporation. 1t makes 1t the duty Of the At
t0rney General nf the United States to insti-
tute legal proceedings to wind up the af-
fairs of the corporation.
Section Is makes provisions as to the en-
dowment of widows who are to have one
third of the income Of the estate as their
dover.
Section 10 gives the President the appoint
ment of a probate Judge in each county.
Section 20 makes it unlawful for any Wo-
man to vote in any election, and annulS the
acts of the legislative assembly which per-
mits female suffrage:
to elections, and require of voters an oath or
affirmation to support the Constitution and
obey the laws, especially the anti-polygamy
act of March %, 1882, and this act. Section
25 abolshes the Office of territorial superin-
tendent of the district schools, and makes it
the duty Of the Supreme Court of the terri
tory to appoint a commissioner Of schools.
Section IS gives to all religious societies,
sects and congregations the right to hold,
through trustees appointed by the probate
and parsonages The 27th and last section
annuls ali territorial laws for the organiza-
ton Of militia, or for the he creation Of Nau-
700 Legion anu anu nower to BASS laws for
ganization of militia, subject to the approval
of Congress. -,
appoinfed bv the governor Of the territory
with the advice and consent of the council.
The bill reported, BY t the .na committee nm on
commerce as substitute LOT the PHI passed
| ols amendments were offered by the chair